Wasps pull Dallaglio's sting
Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:53
Following the Rugby Football Union (RFU) decision to cite Lawrence Dallaglio earlier this week, his club (London Wasps) decided to investigate the matter and has ruled him out of their Round 18 Guinness Premiership encounter with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Saturday.
The citing follows Tigers' 34-24 victory over Wasps in the EDF Energy Cup semi-final in Cardiff last Saturday. Although no sanction was taken again Dallaglio during the game, he is to appear at a Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary hearing next Tuesday, April 1, following the report initiated by the independent citing officer.
However, his club attempted to pre-empt the hearing by handing him an internal ban and softening the blow.
Wasps said in a statement that they are satisfied that although his actions did infringe IRB Rule 10(4)(a), there was no intention or malice on his part.
"Taking into account his exemplary previous disciplinary history, the club has decided that it is appropriate to suspend Lawrence Dallaglio from playing for one week, effective from 25 March," the club's statement said.
Dallaglio has accepted this sanction.
"I accept the sanction of a one-week suspension from playing for my club," he said.
"I acknowledge that my actions infringed the rules, although I wish to stress that they were unintentional and without any malice. I have extended my apologies to [Tigers prop] Julian White. I hope that I can now draw a line under this incident and enjoy playing out the rest of my final season."
